For Galveston county I would say a lot depends on what the oil and gas do next year.  

I work in the oil and gas industry and we deal with it quite often unfortunately.

I mailed hand addressed white envelopes with a printed letter with the home's address including a basic message and picture of my wife and I.In the month since I have received about 20 pieces back, 1 call to be removed from the list, 1 from another flipper who was trying to work some wonky deal to sell to me at basically market price then have me owner finance to the current tenant of the home, and 1 from the daughter of a seller who was going to speak with the seller then pass along my information (I've tried following up but she hasn't responded).I am confident in my acquisition abilities as I currently acquire pipeline easements from landowners in the oil & gas industry, but I need the phone to ring at a higher clip than 2 leads out of 500.

Years ago, a Canadian friend invested $500k+ with someone in the Alberta market when the oil boom was going on.

Was it caught up in the oil boom that hit Midland and Odessa or is something else at play?  

If the Miami-Dade property is anything other than a single-family dwelling, the tax rate is $.60 plus $.45 surtax per $100 of consideration (or portion thereof).Examples of documents that may transfer an interest in real property include:• Warranty deeds• Quit claim deeds• Contracts for timber, gas, oil, or mineral rights• Easements• Contracts or agreements for deed• Assignments of contract or agreement for deed• Assignments of leasehold interest• Assignments of beneficial interest in a trust• Deeds in lieu of foreclosureConsideration generally includes, but is not limited to:• Money paid or to be paid• Discharge of an obligation• Mortgage or other lien encumbering the property• Exchange of property• Any other consideration which has valueWhen the consideration for real property includes property other than money, the consideration is presumed to be equal to the fair market value of the real property.Tax is due on the total consideration for the transfer regardless of the consideration shown on the face of the deed or other document that transfers the property.

But unfortunately, "it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil".

OK, time for my Oil Drilling analogy;You own an oil drill.

Property receives a monthly royalty check for gas and oil rights.

If you’re paying $1,000/mo in utilities/cap-x and maintenance you bought a lemon.